England secured a 2-0 series lead with a commanding 194-run victory over Pakistan at Lord’s on Sunday, wrapping up the contest with a Test to spare.
Chasing 389 for victory, Pakistan’s innings unravelled almost immediately. Ollie Robinson removed Azan Awais and Abdullah Shafique before Jofra Archer dismissed captain Babar Azam, leaving Pakistan reeling at 14/3.
Saud Shakeel then provided the visitors with their only substantial resistance. Batting alongside Shan Masood, he countered England’s pace attack and reached his half-century from just 54 balls. Shakeel continued to fight as wickets fell around him, eventually scoring 97 off 148 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes.
His dismissal, just three runs short of a century, effectively ended Pakistan’s hopes of an unlikely comeback. Josh Tongue then removed Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali as Pakistan were bowled out for 194.
Robinson was once again at the centre of England’s bowling effort. After taking four wickets in the first innings, the seamer returned figures of 4/24 in the second to finish with 8/35 in the match and earn Player of the Match honours. Archer and Tongue also played key roles in dismantling Pakistan’s lower order.
Pakistan’s problems, however, had begun earlier in the match. After reducing England to 77/4, they allowed Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson to add a crucial last-wicket partnership that took England to 290. Pakistan then collapsed for just 110 in their first innings and also dropped four catches.
Mohammad Abbas provided a rare bright spot, taking 5/57 in England’s second innings to earn a place on the Lord’s honours board and finish with nine wickets in the match.
The defeat extends a worrying run for Pakistan, who have now lost 15 of their last 20 Tests and 10 of their last 11 away from home. They are also currently at the bottom of the World Test Championship table.
For England, the victory marks their first multi-match Test series win since beating New Zealand in December 2024. They will now look to complete a 3-0 sweep when the final Test begins in Birmingham on September 9.
